Internationally renowned food writer, bestselling author and television personality Nigella Lawson will headline the 2026 Tamar Valley Writers Festival in Launceston this October.
Lawson was revealed as the festival’s headline guest during the program launch, where supporters and community members gathered at a public book bar and read-in.
The British writer began her career as a journalist, working as a deputy literary editor and columnist before becoming one of the world’s best-known food writers.
Her first cookbook, How to Eat, was published in 1998 and was followed by international bestsellers including How to Be a Domestic Goddess and Feast.
She has since hosted numerous television series, including Nigella Bites and Nigella Kitchen.
“We are so excited that Nigella will be joining the line-up for the 2026 Tamar Valley Writers Festival,” festival co-presidents Georgie Todman and Lyndon Riggall said.
“She will bring a rich, warm and nourishing presence to our festival as well as a wealth of experience as a journalist and food writer.”
Lawson said she was looking forward to the event.
“I’m hugely excited to be at The Tamar Valley Writers’ Festival this October,” she said.
“It’s always a pleasure to be discussing food and food writing with readers and answering your questions and how glorious to be in beautiful Tasmania to do so.”
This year’s festival centres on the theme Feed the Soul, with a program designed to cover a wide range of literary tastes.
New Town author Rebecca Armitage will appear to discuss her debut novel The Heir Apparent, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.
Comedian and writer Shaun Micallef will deliver a keynote and join the Funny Bones panel alongside Siang Lu and others.
Hannah Kent will feature on the Life Well Seasoned memoir panel.
Todman and Riggall said the theme leaned into the strengths of the region.
“Launceston is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and the Tamar Valley is renowned for its fresh produce, wines and restaurants,” they said.
“We wanted to celebrate all of those things while at the same time allowing our readers to savour the best authors and books on offer.”
The festival will run from October 15 to 19 at the River’s Edge building at the UTAS Inveresk campus.
